Nick + Alyssa

In the months leading up to this shoot, my e-mail conversations with Alyssa assured me that photographing her and Nick would be nothing less than spectacular. Something that makes my job so enjoyable is that I get to meet new people almost every week. And sharing stories about love and marriage is uplifting and fun, especially since I'm in the midst of wedding planning myself! I knew of Nick + Alyssa through one of our previous brides (and current second shooter) Liz! I was so excited to take them to some locations around town that I've never gotten to use before. I can't wait to capture their wedding in September! -Jeff

Jay + Blythe

I met Blythe last Christmas when she applied to be a walk in love. model for our Christmas 2012 lookbook. I knew as soon as I read her little bio and saw her photos that she'd be a breeze to photograph. So naturally, I was thrilled when she got engaged and asked me to shoot her engagement photos.

Jay + Blythe have been together for several years and from the little I know about them seem perfect together. They were both incredibly easy going and comfortable in front of the camera. Defintely my favorite type of people to shoot, especially on wedding days. (Cough, cough, hire me, cough.)

Enjoy a handful of images from their engagement session. I really do love each and every photograph! -Brooke

To view all of Jay + Blythe's images, click HERE!

Kyle + Sam // Smilebooth

My little sister has been married for over a week now.  It's kind of crazy to think about it.  This morning I decided that we would continue the week of Kyle + Sam on our blog by posting the Smilebooth photos from their wedding.  Since the Smilebooth has joined the Brooke Courtney team I think it has captured more photos of my family members than anyone else.  It's been to both first birthday parties of my neices, Nick's birthday, my birthday, Brooke's birthday, Sam's birthday, two Christmas parties, two Halloweens, my parent's 30th wedding anniversary, two of Sam's 5th grade classrooms, Nick and Lindsey's wedding, countless other parties and now the wedding of Kyke + Sam.  I am so thankful that Brooke and I can provide it at such big and important events as our families grow.  Sam and Kyle have documented their whole relationship in the Smilebooth.  When they showed a slideshow at the rehearsal dinner I made the comment to Brooke that it looked like a Smilebooth commercial.  It was very fitting that the Smilebooth was at their wedding and it was enjoyed by all!  Enjoy some of my favorites! - T.J.

And if you still need to see more photos you can go to Smilebooth.com or watch the video below of all the photos!

 

Kyle Sam Smilebooth from Brooke Courtney on Vimeo.

Kyle + Sam // Wedding

Kyle + Sam's big day was wonderful in every single way. The weather was more than anyone could have asked or dreamed for, and as a photographer, that's pretty amazing. Every detail that Sam and I (and the other lovely craft ladies) worked so hard on looked perfect. The girls dresses were brilliant shades of red and the sky was an unbelievable blue. Kyle + Sam's first look was precious and their portraits turned out beautifully. Sam walked down the isle at the exact moment in the song we had worked so hard to get right and they both said "I do." It was a night of families coming together coupled with confetti filling the dance floor. All in all, it was magical.

Kyle + Sam's wedding was more of a celebration than almost any other wedding I've been to before. And in my opinion, it shouldn't have been anything else. While driving home the night of Kyle + Sam's wedding, I remember feeling two things. 1. Complete exhaustion. Planning, coordinating, designing, styling, shooting, dancing and bridesmaid-ing is a lot of work. And 2. That although Kyle + Sam's wedding day was just "another day" in their lives (ie: a beautiful wedding doesn't make the marriage, commitment and all sorts of other good and Godly things do), that it was completely perfect how much we celebrated this one day. That we all took the time to laugh, dance, eat and focus on the start of their marraige -- something so wonderfully life changing.

I think one of my favorite authors (Shauna Neiquist) sums up what I was feeling best, "Today is your big moment. Moments, really. The life you've been waiting for is happening all around you. This is it. This is life in all its glory..." 

Enjoy the photos and please leave comments. It's always fun to hear what you think and which ones are your favorites! -Brooke

This wedding was shot by our entire team: Brooke, Jeff, T.J., Kristen and Tori.

Kyle + Sam // Rehearsal

The week of Kyle + Sam continues with some photos of the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.  Sam had our Mom's wedding dress slightly altered so she could wear it to the reahearsal as a total surprise. Mom had no idea and it was great to see her blown away by the surprise.  Our family might also have the most Smilebooth photos ever taken, because it is a staple at any party or event that we have.  The (Chick-fil-A!!!) rehearsal dinner was no different and we all crammed into the booth for one last photo with Sam as a Mousetis! Enjoy! - T.J.

 

 

Kyle + Sam // Softball Game

This is the first of many posts dedicated to the wedding of Kyle + Sam.  Obviously this was a big event for our team since Sam is my younger sister, and Brooke helped with all aspects of the wedding!  The first official event of the wedding week was a family softball game between Kyle and Sam!  It was a clash of epic proportions.  It was like game 7 of the World Series and the Superbowl combined.  It came down to extra innings with the bride coming to the plate.  The pitch came, she swung her bat and smashed the ball out of the park to drive home the game winning run.  Actually, she grounded it to the short stop, but the winning run still made it home.  Either way, Sam's team won and it was a great time for all invovled!  Enjoy just a handful of the photos that Brooke shot during the super fun game! - T.J. 

 

Dustin + Julia

When I got to Julia's aunt's farm, I knew it was going to be a beautiful day. There's just something about farms in Maryland that is perfect for summertime weddings! It was such a pleasure to be a part of Dustin + Julia's day. Liz and I were immersed in such excitement that we too became enthralled with everything about their day! Our favorite part of this wedding were the details. From the beatufiul wooden head table to the all the succulents, it was a photographer's dream! One of the sweetest moments of the day was learning about how Julia's mother hand made a clutch for her. Inside, was a family heirloom that was oh-so-sweet. As the party was just getting started, I snuck Dustin + Julia away from their tent to take some photos during the sunset. Julia had slipped into a more comfortable reception dress and it was a great chance to capture a moment with her in it. These were by far my favorite photos of the day! -Jeff

 

 

 

Stellia

Okay seriously, how cute is Stellia, aka 'Stell'. I know she's our neice and all, but she really a sweet little baby. Stellia turned one this month and T.J. and I were happy to capture a few photos of her just before her birthday. It's amazing how quickly they grow. -Brooke